In this lesson, you’re going to learn how to introduce yourself in Arabic. There are a few other ways to say it, depending on how formal you want to be. Let’s first look at an informal way to introduce yourself in Arabic.
Marḥaban, it means (Hello). ‘Ana Jack’ means I’m Jack, Surirtu biliqāʾika means pleasure to meet you.
Hi, I’m Jack. It’s a pleasure to meet you [slowly] Marḥaban, ʾanā Jack… Surirtu biliqāʾika.
Now you try it: Start by saying Marḥaban which is the equivalent of Hi. Then, say ʾanā
(Literally I am) followed by your name. ʾanā Jack is ‘I am Jack’. Finally, say‘ Nice to meet you’
The difference between talking to man and woman
If you are talking to a man, you say surirtu biliqā’ika. If you are talking to a woman, say surirtu biliqā’iki. if you are talking to a woman. This phrase means “I am happy to meet you.”surirtu is literally “Iam glad” or ‘nice to`and biliqā’ika/biliqā’iki is “to meet you”.
In the English phrase “Glad to meet you,” “you” is a neutral word. You can use it for both men and women. But in Arabic, the word “you” needs a gender. When you change
the last letter in liqāʾika, “a” to an “i” sound, liqāʾiki, you are actually changing the word “you” from the male to female version. Please be careful to use the correct version!
Another how to introduce your self
Now let’s see another way of introducing yourself. In this version you will say, my name is Jack’ instead of ‘Hi, I am Jack’
And we will learn another way of
saying ‘Hi ‘nice to meet you’.
Marḥaban, ʾismī Jack. Tašharraftu bimaʿrifatika. Hi, my name is Jack. I am honored to meet you.
[slowly] Marḥaban, ʾismī Jack. Tašharraftu bimaʿrifatika.
What has changed from the previous introduction? Let’s take a close look at these together.
First, marḥaban, ʾanā Jack has changed to Marḥaban, ʾismī Jack. So, instead of saying Hi, I’m Jack, we are speaking in a more formal way by saying Hi, my name is Jack. Next, after giving your name, instead of saying surirtu biliqā’ika you say Tašharraftu bimaʿrifatika or I am honored to meet you, which is a bit more formal.
Again, we should not forget to change the ending of the word depending on the gender of the person you’re speaking to. It would be Tašharraftu bimaʿrifatika for a man and Tašharraftu bimaʿrifatiki in case of a woman.
The four ways you learned to introduce yourself in Arabic.
Informally, marḥaban, ʾanā jack.surirtu biliqā’ika. if you are speaking to a man. And, marḥaban, ʾanā Carole…surirtu biliqā’iki if you are speaking to a woman The formal way to introduce yourself is: Marḥaban, ʾismī Jack. Tašharraftu bimaʿrifatika if the person you’re talking to is a man. and Marḥaban, ʾismī Carole. Tašarraftu bimaʿrifatiki if that person is a woman.
how to introduce yourself in Arabic in Egyptian Arabic
What’s your name? : “EsmUHk ey?”
اسمك ايه؟
My name is… : “ESSmee….”
…اسمي
We thought we’d spend about a month and a half before getting around to this gem. Thank us later.
Where are you from…. : “ENtuh menANE?”
انت منين؟
I come from…: “Ana men…”
…انا من
…America/Germany/France/Spain/Italy : “…Amreekuh/Almania/Faransa/Aspania/Italia.”
أمريكا|المانيا|فرنسا|اسبانيا|إيطاليا…
I am…. : “Ana….”
…انا
Introducing yourself etiquettes in Arabic:
When you introduce yourself in the Middle East or Northern African countries, it’s polite to offer your right hand for a handshake or give three kisses on the cheeks, although the rules vary depending on where you are. Arab people place great value on politeness, so for example, it is considered rude to enter a room or a place without greeting everyone. If you use the right sentence to introduce yourself, they’ll definitely be impressed!
